YOUTH EXCHANGE "Youth, Environmental, Action"

Aims & objectives

YEA promoted outdoor activities and
non-formal educational methods, with the aim to increase the active participation of youngsters in their society and to raise
environmental awareness among them en Europe”. The youth exchange aim was linked with one specific priority of the new Erasmus+ Programme, which is the environment and fighting against climate change. The whole Youth Exchange, in line with Erasmus + Youth Exchange Priorities and EU
Youth Policy, fostered intercultural dialogue and learning and feeling of being European; developed skills
and attitudes of young people; strengthened European values and broke down prejudices and stereotypes; Increasedsocial and
civic engagement. During the implementation of the Youth Exchange, the participants had the opportunity to connect
with nature, through a tailor-made program characterized by different indoor and outdoor activities, that increased their
awareness of the importance to act in a sustainable way toward the planet and boosted their social and soft skills through
specific sessions on team working, self-reflection and creative activities. In addition, the project promoted in the
participants a reflection on their daily habits, with the goal to make participants aware that more sustainable daily habits can
be crucial to reduce the detrimental effects of climate change, biodiversity conservation, and pollution.

Target group & international/intercultural composition of the group & team

the group was composed by 32 people from 5 countries (Spain, Italy, Lithuania, Greece and Netherland) participants aged between 18 and 23 and group leaders with no age limits.

Training methods used & main activities

All activities are based on non-formal education methods and peer-to-peer learning principles such as storytelling session and ecomat.

Outcomes of the activity

Generally speaking, the YE, developed a set of different soft skills of the participants: - they gained capacity to work
in teams - improved their self-awareness - Their environmental awareness has been increased - They increased
intercultural and languages skills - They learned how to feel empathy with their peers and with nature

Your tasks and responsibilities within the team

I conducted the training completely independently, managing the working days and intercultural nights.

I worked on this training for 7 days as a full time trainer.

Testimonial of the reference person

I followed the activities led by Cristina Arenare, who recorded a high number of consensus among the participants in the YEA project.
The indoor and outdoor activities, carried out in an informal context, were very valid, innovative and educational for the young people